Abstract: A record changer apparatus having a removable magazine for storing a plurality of records, a playback/recording mechanism for receiving and playing or recording a record transferred from the magazine, a housing mounted adjacent the playback/recording mechanism and adapted to receive the removable magazine, the housing being mounted for swiveling about a mounting axis between an operating position in which the magazine in the housing is located to allow transfer of a selected record between the mechanism and the magazine and a loading position angularly displaced from the operating position in which the magazine may be removed or loaded into the housing. The housing and magazine are swiveled between operating and loading positions either manually or by power.

Abstract: Apparatus for reproducing information carried along a spiral track of a record disc having a controller to locate a reproduction element so that it follows the information track and to maintain a substantially linear reproduction speed as the reproduction element recovers the information recorded along the information track at a normal rhythm. The controller compares the progression of the recovery of the information with a time-based reference signal and delivers a control signal when a predetermined difference occurs indicative of a break in the rhythm of the progression of the recovery. The control signal corrects the relative movement between the record disc and the reproduction element to restore the rhythm of the progression of the recovery.

Abstract: A cassette of cleaning tape for cleaning the driving, play-back and recording components of a magnetic tape apparatus. The cleaning cassette has a tape and a roller rotatably supported in the cassette housing having a core of absorbent material adapted to be impregnated with cleaning liquid, and absorbent material exposed on a portion of the surface of the roller for applying liquid to wet a surface of the tape intermittently as the tape is moved in the cassette, the intermittent liquid application preventing the tape from sticking to components as the tape is driven through the magnetic tape apparatus being cleaned.

Abstract: A bidirectional tape transport for tapes stored in cassettes with a control for starting the drive in a preferred direction when a cassette is inserted in the apparatus. For reversing the direction of tape movement, the polarity of the supply voltage to the motor is reversed and the tape drive and the drive train to the reel spindles are reversed in such a way as always to drive the take-up spindle. Such operations are achieved by energizing a reversing solenoid by an electrical pulse, which may be produced manually or automatically by a reel rotation detection circuit.

Abstract: A tape transport for tapes stored in cassettes, where the loading and unloading of the cassette is carried out by a single in-and-out movement of the cassette in its own plane, and where tape and reel drive elements, as the cassette is loaded and unloaded, are brought into and out of penetrative engagement with the cassette in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face of the cassette. The tape transport is of the movable frame type in which a movable frame carrying the tape and reel drive elements is supported on a fixed frame for translation perpendicular to the plane of cassette movement while simultaneously following the in-and-out movements of the cassette.

Abstract: A tape transport is disclosed having a capstan drive, a reel drive for a take-up spindle for the take-up reel, a slipping clutch in said reel drive, and a selectively engageable direct drive connection between the clutch plates of the clutch to provide a non-slipping connection in the reel drive for use in fast drive modes, the direct drive including gear teeth on both clutch plates forming gears, and a short circuit gear engageable with the gears on both clutch plates. Also included are supports and operating mechanism by which the capstan drive and direct drive are engaged and disengaged in sequence; said capstan drive being disengaged before said direct non-slipping connection in said reel drive is engaged, and said direct non-slipping connection in said reel drive being disengaged before said capstan drive is engaged, to prevent direct reel drive of the tape without disengagement of the capstan drive, and avoid tape breakage or mechanism jamming.

Abstract: A method for controlling the transfer of a flexible web member from a supply reel to a take-up reel, according to which the rotational speeds of the supply reel and the take-up reel are measured and whereby the ratio between these measurements is established independently of the speed and direction of the movement of the web member. The method comprises the steps of storing reference information representing the characteristics of different types of reel and web, releasing the reference information corresponding to the reels and webs used, generating intermediate signals which represent the said ratio combining these intermediate signals with the released reference information and generating output signals in dependence upon the momentary position of the web in relation to one or other ends thereof, and using these output signals for the purpose of visually displaying the position of the web and/or of controlling certain operations of the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning and guiding magnetic tape around the drum of a rotary head assembly in a recording and/or reproducing mechanism, particularly for video tape. At least two guide fingers are provided for guiding the magnetic tape from a cartridge to a drum of the rotary head assembly. The guide fingers are mounted for movement between a retracted position where the guide fingers engage the magnetic tape in a cartridge, and an advanced position where the guide fingers dispose the tape along a predetermined helical path on the drum surface. At least one guide surface projects from the drum and cooperates with the guide fingers to guide the tape onto the predetermined helical path on the drum surface when the guide fingers are removed from the retracted position to the advanced position, and for maintaining the tape on the helical path during relative movement of the tape and the rotary head assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning and guiding magnetic tape around the drum of a rotary head assembly in a recording and/or reproducing mechanism, particularly for video tapes. At least two guide fingers guide the magnetic tape from a cartridge around at least a portion of the surface of the drum of the rotary head assembly. These guide fingers are mounted for movement between a retracted position where the fingers engage the magnetic tape in a cartridge, and an advanced position where the guide fingers dispose the tape along a predetermined helical path on the drum surface. A self-locking mechanism is provided for holding the guide fingers in the advanced position against the normal retracting forces exerted on the fingers by the tape moving thereover, while permitting limited retracting movement of the fingers in response to excessive retracting forces exerted on the fingers during abnormal tape movement.

Abstract: A cassette tape recording apparatus of the type in which the pressure roller and the recording and reproducing head are mounted on a support movable between a retracted position and an operative position which provides a stable intermediate position into which the movable support automatically moves upon insertion of a cassette into the machine. Once the movable support is in the stable intermediate position, it may be selectively moved into and from the operative position and into the retracted position. A stop responsive to the insertion of a cassette restrains the movable support in the retracted position prior to the insertion of a cassette. When a cassette is inserted into the machine, the stop is released and a spring moves the movable support toward the operative position. A latching lever arrests and maintains the movable support in a stable intermediate position.

Abstract: A device for loading and unloading cartridges into and from a recording and/or playback apparatus for magnetic tapes stored in cartridges of the type provided on their front face with a door for the withdrawal of the magnetic tape, the device including a housing member into which the cartridge is slidably inserted, the housing having a cam to open the door of the cartridge automatically as the cartridge is inserted; rollers carried by a shaft biasing the cartridge against the lower wall of the housing; resilient spring blades biasing said roller means downwardly in a way which permits the insertion of a cartridge with its door open; and a pair of support slits provided in the side walls of the housing and into which the ends of the shaft can slide to allow vertical movement of the rollers under the effect of the spring blades, the vertical movement of the shaft causing the door of the cartridge to close automatically when the latter is disengaged from the housing.

Abstract: A stop device for a magnetic tape recording and/or playback apparatus having an end of tape detector responsive to reference marks positioned near the ends of the magnetic tape and adapted to stop the tape drive in response to the detection of a mark. High tape speeds result in the reference mark being carried past the detector before the tape is completely stopped. To prevent retriggering of the automatic stop device such as when reversing the tape direction following an automatic stop, means are provided responsive to certain conditions within the tape drive for disabling the end of tape detector. More specifically, the speed of the take-up or supply reel is sensed to derive an indication of the amount of tape on such reel, that information being used to enable or disable the end of tape detector.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing the undesired erasure of a magnetic tape in a tape recorder which receives a tape cartridge and has the capability of recording in either direction of tape travel in the cartridge without the necessity of removing and reversing the cartridge. The apparatus includes means for detecting the presence of removable recording permission tabs on the tape cartridge and, depending on the instantaneously commanded direction of tape transfer, generating signals which will prevent recording if the tab corresponding to the track presented to the recording head during the existing direction of tape travel has been removed.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting a tape cassette into engagement with the drive means of a recording and/or playback device. The transporting apparatus includes a movable housing which slidably receives a tape cassette and which is locked against attempts to engage the cassette with the tape drive mechanism unless the tape is properly oriented when inserted. The movable housing is capable of movement in two respectively transverse directions so as to first vertically align the cassette with the drive mechanism and thereafter to move the cassette into engagement with the drive mechanism.